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Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting Hardcover – November 25, 1997

by Robert McKee (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 3,059 ratings
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Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience.

In Story, McKee expands on the concepts he teaches in his $450 seminars (considered a must by industry insiders), providing readers with the most comprehensive, integrated explanation of the craft of writing for the screen. No one better understands how all the elements of a screenplay fit together, and no one is better qualified to explain the "magic" of story construction and the relationship between structure and character than Robert McKee.

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  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    ReganBooks
  4. Publication date
    November 25, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    9.4 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0060391685
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0060391683
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
3,059 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this screenwriting book incredibly helpful, with one noting it's useful for writing any genre. The book is praised for its impressive wealth of knowledge and experience, with one customer describing it as the most valuable reference tool a storyteller can obtain. Customers appreciate its comprehensive content, with one highlighting its deep analysis, and its style, with one noting its gorgeous blue and gold hard cover. They value its focus on character development, with one review specifically praising its guide to writing character-driven stories, and its ability to create emotionally moving narratives.

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Writing styleValue for moneyKnowledgeContentScreenwritingStyleStory qualityCharacter development
274 customers mention "Writing style"238 positive36 negative

Customers praise the book's writing style, describing it as the best narrative guide and a must-read for serious screenwriters.

"...Robert blew my mind w this one; the depth, the clarity, the profundity and the genius simplification of one of the most complex art forms - telling..." Read more

"...to return to a somewhat normal life; this book does a very good job of explaining what that all actually means and how to go about making it happen..." Read more

"Very good book. Taught me a lot about writing and about making stories that arc instead of just a linear approach...." Read more

"...’s attention to the visual aspects of screenplays and storytelling in the film medium...." Read more

192 customers mention "Value for money"188 positive4 negative

Customers find the book to be worth the money, describing it as brilliant and a must-read.

"Wow. I’m BLOWN AWAY by this book. In a lucky non co incidence I met an actor and we got to talking and he recommended this book...." Read more

"Very good book. Taught me a lot about writing and about making stories that arc instead of just a linear approach...." Read more

"...this book. Again, I highly recommend this, as a wonderful book to read early on in one's aspirations towards writing, and as an excellent..." Read more

"I absolutely loved this book. I'm working on a novel series, and I am serious about my craft and career...." Read more

168 customers mention "Knowledge"152 positive16 negative

Customers find the book enlightening in its analysis and appreciate the author's impressive wealth of knowledge and experience, with one customer noting it as the most valuable reference tool for storytellers.

"...This book explains the essence, the principles of the art form of script writing...." Read more

"...about it as a screenwriting resource are true, but the book can provide additional benefits...." Read more

"...writer should be able to find much and most of it understandable and helpful. There are also references to films, probably some of which one..." Read more

"...It broke down many famous movies and helped me understand them better as well as understand why they struck me the way they did...." Read more

106 customers mention "Content"106 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content engaging and insightful, with one customer noting how deeply the book explores its subject matter.

"...of one of the most complex art forms - telling stories about the human experience. The essence of the art form is principled out in the book...." Read more

"...This book should 100% inspire your creativity and ideas ...." Read more

"...It gives a lot of perspectives that even a pro writer might find helpful, I'd think, yet is written clearly and accessibly so that even a..." Read more

"...book is focused mostly on screenwriting, I still got a tremendous amount of information from it...." Read more

64 customers mention "Screenwriting"64 positive0 negative

Customers find this book to be an excellent resource for screenwriting, particularly for novelists and students, with one customer noting its focus on fiction writing techniques and principles.

"...But I enjoy the art form and I respect the mastery of technical and creative that blend as genius and excellence...." Read more

"...I am only add my own because I do believe this would be a very important read for any actor...." Read more

"Is a most for all student writers" Read more

"Love this book. McKee is a Master!" Read more

29 customers mention "Style"24 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the book's style, noting its gorgeous blue and gold hard cover and well-illustrated content with examples from well-known movies.

"...But I enjoy the art form and I respect the mastery of technical and creative that blend as genius and excellence...." Read more

"...But the book's genius is in deftly identifying and portraying and explaining various principles and patterns of stories and their construction,..." Read more

"...McKee covers three-act structure, story design, scene design, conflict, and character development...." Read more

"...I'm glad I did. This book covers Substance, Style, and the Principals of Screenwriting...." Read more

17 customers mention "Story quality"13 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the story quality of the book, describing it as emotionally moving and amazing, with one customer noting how it effectively conveys psychological effects.

"...heart of what story means to us as humans, how it touches us, why it touches us, and why some stories touch us more deeply than others...." Read more

"...Setups, payoffs, turning points, structure, inciting incident, protagonist vs antagonist, resonating and contrasting subplot, negation of the..." Read more

"...Because being able to make an amazing story that is clear, in the right format, has the style that society demands will lead to all of those things..." Read more

"...The book is masterful, but does not address story ideas or inspiration...." Read more

15 customers mention "Character development"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's approach to character development, with multiple reviews highlighting its focus on deep character creation. One customer notes that characters cannot exist without each other, while another describes it as a fantastic guide to writing character-driven stories.

"...is put into well-organized context most useful towards constructing screenplays / stories ...." Read more

"...this -- that narrative writing *can* be taught and that well-developed plot is critical...." Read more

"...Talks in detail about screenwriting basics, plot points, character growth, verbiage, prose, and so much more...." Read more

"...understand the nature of storytelling, how plot and characters cannot exist without each other and how to effectively write a story that is driven..." Read more

Life-Changing for Writers
5 out of 5 stars
Life-Changing for Writers
The most astounding and comprehensive book on writing you will ever need as a storyteller. From a bird's eye view to the nuts and bolts of writing, whether you are a screenwriter, a novelist, journalist or a blogger. Clear. Lively. Timeless!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • bbky
    5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK ON HOW TO CREATE STORIES 100% hands down
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2021
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Sorry I don’t have time to write a succinctly profound review but if you’re even barely considering buying this book, JUST DO IT. I honestly can’t believe the price is 25$.
    If you have an ounce of raw story telling talent, or if u consider yourself professional, this book is for you. Or if you appreciate the art of storytelling; or if u work in the industry and get scripts across your desk, this book is for you.
    I do not write scripts and have no plans to; I was introduced to this book years ago when reviewing a script someone was interested in getting funded and felt appropriate to educate myself on what makes a script great... Bc we all know when a script isn’t, but not necessarily Why. Robert blew my mind w this one; the depth, the clarity, the profundity and the genius simplification of one of the most complex art forms - telling stories about the human experience.
    The essence of the art form is principled out in the book. I’ve been raving about this book since I first read it in 2017, lent my hand-me-down copy, and bought my own last week to do a little book club w my gf. We enjoy watching episodics and movies and have a great time articulating why we think stories are great. I’m super excited diving back into this book again especially w a partner.
    In my over simplified, outsider opinion, this book is THE formula, the “bible” so to say, of the who what where when and most importantly WHY of scripting for screen.
    Just buy it. Buy two copies and gift one to your writing buddy or a director u work with. Heck, buy 3 copies and keep on in the car or at the office. Again, ~25$ - wow.
    If u want to get your script funded - this is the next place for you to go. Scripts are picked up bc they will sell, and in order to sell they have resonate universally. This book explains the essence, the principles of the art form of script writing. If you really think you have what it takes to be an all star writer then digesting this book should 100% fun for you.
    Just my 3 cents... again I have no plans of writing and I’m not a writer. But I enjoy the art form and I respect the mastery of technical and creative that blend as genius and excellence. For me, having this knowledge has made stories on screen that much more enjoyable as I watch the principles outlined in this book play themselves out like clockwork.
    I hope I’ve made it clear how magnificent and remarkable this book is in both knowledge and presentation. The hugest shoutout to Robert McKee and his wife who apparently edited this. And shoutout to all the other people behind the scenes on making this book happen. It’s brought me tons of joy, entertainment, knowledge and invigoration. And quite honestly had widened my perspective of the human condition and life itself.
    Just buy it, and read it. Take notes. Study it. Use it. Capitalize on it if script writing and story telling is in your cards.
    And if u love this book as much as I do let’s start a club lol.
    27 people found this helpful
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  • the fine reverend besotted
    5.0 out of 5 stars ACTORS: You should read this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    There are several reviews which explain this CD better. I am only add my own because I do believe this would be a very important read for any actor.

    In my younger days, I had the acting bug and I read several books on "scene analysis" and such. These always left me disappointed as there seemed to be something missing. This book has shown me what that is, an understanding of how the "scene" fits into the "play" (read, "story").

    This book/CD presents a cogent theory of story and, more importantly, clearly shows how an actor's beats should be analyzed and, thereafter, how a scene, sequence, act and play show be analyzed to understand the author's intention and, thereby, understand what the actor should focus on in such beat, scene etc. in order to successfully "act" the play.

    It also clarifies a distinction many young actors fail to note: there is a difference between a character and characterization. So, if you have been confused by the "old chestnut" that "plot is character and character is plot", then after reading this book you will know that your confusion is because you wrongly saw a character as his mannerisms (something actors are very prone to do) and failed to see that character is revealed by what a person chooses to do nor do not, and is not revealed by what they wear, how they talk, nor even by what they actually say (unless, what they say is different from what they do).

    Simply put, "actions speak louder than words". Too often, actors get caught up in the words and fail to realize they are actually hired more to show the "action" than to "meaningfully" recite the "words".

    Finally, if you have heard as often is said about a story, that something changes in the protagonist's life which leads him to venture forth, where "obstacles" get in his way before he is confronted with the thing or choice which will "scratch" the "itch" which led him to venture forth and, having climactically confronted such thing/choice, a resolution to the protagonist's "itch" allows him, although he is now changed inside, to return to a somewhat normal life; this book does a very good job of explaining what that all actually means and how to go about making it happen. If you are an actor, understanding the writer's craft can only help you in understanding the strengthens and weakness of a play and it, more importantly, your character's purpose in the story.

    I wish I had read this book "back in the day", I would have been a much better actor and maybe sustained my passion for the craft.

    (In truth, I did have the book back then but found it too wordy and, so, never got beyond the first 100 pages. So, if you also do not like reading "craft" books, then I would recommend getting the CD version. It is abridged, however, it seems fairly complete and I understood the theory better when I heard it than when I read it. However, to each their own.)
    6 people found this helpful
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  • bestSeller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must for writers especially screenplay
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Wow. I’m BLOWN AWAY by this book. In a lucky non co incidence I met an actor and we got to talking and he recommended this book. I only trusted him because his favourite movie is MY favorite movie. This was proper BRAIN CANDY for me the whole of December and January I didn’t work at all I went out and enjoyed my holiday and I gobbled up this book like no other . I LOVE it, I ADORE it , it came to me at the perfect time I was ready to elevate my writing. This book should 100% inspire your creativity and ideas . I’ve seen people saying they don’t like rules but I don’t see it this way I actually felt my creativity being stimulated to the max. WOW WOW and WOWZA

    Now guess what I made a wall full of notes on this book and I re read it over and over I know some of the stuff by heart already.AND I plan to read it again and re do my notes if necessary someone on here said it’s the story telling bible and i couldn’t agree more , I will read it till I’m dead and beyond I’m SO HAPPY THANK YOU OMG THANK YOOOOOUUUUUUUU

    This guy is clever please listen to him. I’ll update this comment when my movie is out. Thank you *takes a bow*
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Instruction
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Very good book. Taught me a lot about writing and about making stories that arc instead of just a linear approach. This really raised my thinking level on the writing that I've done and will definitely help me be a better writer. I struggled with a few days chapters because I disagreed with the basic premise of the chapter. The key is clearly the voice of authority, but I disagree with the premise. However for the most part it was extremely well done and I look forward to reading more of Robert McKee's books.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Pak
    5.0 out of 5 stars La référence absolue
    Reviewed in France on February 5, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Si vous êtes intéressé par le storytelling, alors vous n'avez aucune excuse pour ne pas avoir Story dans votre bibliothèque!

    Le style est fluide et agréable, de nombreux films sont cités.

    Mais il y a quelque chose dans Story que je n'ai pas trouvé dans la majorité des livres prétendant vous apprendre quelque chose, que ce soit dans l'univers de la narration ou non : un contenu apparemment inépuisable, pas abstrait du tout, et orienté sur la pratique.

    Arrivé à la page 119, j'avais déjà pris une dizaine de pages de notes en parallèle, tant le contenu est dense. Story fait 419 pages, en dehors des diverses annexes. Et l'ensemble délivre des techniques de narration pour valider ou non la qualité de vos scènes et de la construction de votre histoire.

    Lire Story une seule fois ne sera pas suffisant, c'est une bible sur laquelle vous aurez souvent envie de revenir.

    Notez que ce qu'enseigne Robert McKee ne s'applique pas qu'au screenwriting pour le cinéma (Je pense particulièrement aux romanciers) !
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastico!
    Reviewed in Italy on October 4, 2024
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Esattamente quello che cercavo. Anzi, di più.
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  • Pratyush Sinha
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must buy (if you wish to write a screenplay)
    Reviewed in India on February 1, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Great book for anyone who wishes to learn about screenwriting for films. Story by Robet McKee is the Bible of screenplay writing.
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  • Manuel Olaf
    5.0 out of 5 stars Una de las mejoras obras para creativos
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 15, 2024
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Aunque alguna que otra enseñanza pueda haber quedado obsoleta y se requiera de haber visto al menos una vez las obras que se usan como ejemplo; este es uno de los mejores libro que no solo te ayudará a crear y desarrollar tu historia, si no también a interpretar otras obras, lo cual te dará un espectro de entendimiento más amplio sobre el tema.
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  • Wolfram
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect but the best of its kind
    Reviewed in Germany on January 7, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is by no means perfect - but its still one of the best (maybe THE best) about the topic of "story".

    WHY IT ISN'T PERFECT:
    1) The book starts with pages and pages of facts and theory that are quite obvious. You read page after page and say "Yes, he's right, that's true", and it is, but its meaningless. Even if this is the first time in your life you think about "story". But if you continue reading, the pages start bearing more significance. Would have been better with just 200 pages instead of 400.

    2) Although the book has the word "structure" in its title, the books own structure is horrible, if not completely absent. If you really want to "work" with the book, its probably a good idea to write down the essence of the book in short notes and give them your own structure afterwards.

    3) McKee is very dogmatic. Obviously he has an incredible (philosophical) knowledge about the topic. Enough to make him a story guru in my opinion. But dogmatic statements are never a good idea. And with some statements I think, he's wrong. But honestly that doesn't really matter, because ...

    WHY IT'S STILL THE BEST BOOK ABOUT STORY:
    1) ... Even if McKee might be wrong with some of his claims (in my opinion), the great achievement is, that without McKee pointing out some aspects, I had never given them a single thought. So no matter if you share all of his opinions or not - while reading his book, you start to think about "story" in a new and different way. That's brilliant. And even if you contradict - you almost certainly learned something new and valuable. But the point is: don't just shovel the pages into your brain like a bowl of Kellogg's Frosties. Think, criticize and question everything. Make your own mind! This book teaches you how to walk and stand on your own two feet. But like any good father who teaches you to follow into his footsteps, in order to become a real successor, first the father has to die.

    2) McKee covers every aspect of "story" there is. If you re-structure the book a bit, it will you provide you with an in-depth "how-to" instruction. And its a great tool to analyze your or other stories.

    3) The book is mainly about blockbusters. Big Hollywood movies. Its not about "how stories work" but about "how Hollywood movies work". At first this might look like a flaw. Especially if you're bored of the Hollywood story telling style. But actually its not a flaw but a very good thing: You learn how and why these blockbusters work and you learn why and when they bore you. I you want to write an intelligent, individual avantgarde story there is no "how to" instruction anyway (or it would be pointless). You have to do this by yourself. But you have to know and understand the conventions of your craft first. Its like painting. You have to learn to paint photo-realistic before you can successfully do abstract art (have a look at Picasso and van Gogh and their early work). Which means: If you do not want to write a Hollywood blockbuster - read this book and learn what you have to avoid (or to include).
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